stablesmile

An ergonomic intervention designed to restore dignity and autonomy to the daily rituals of those living with Essential Tremors

00

problem

Over 200 million people in the world experience tremors. Strokes, Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremors are all forms of involuntary shaking. People with tremors experience involuntary shaking and struggles with daily routines like walking and performing small, precise motion. So we’ve identified a daily routine vital to human health, toothbrushing! We’ve learned that many patients with essential tremors have poor oral health due to worsening tremors.

solution

StableSmile improves the toothbrushing experience for individuals with Essential Tremors by minimizing fine motor movements during brushing and stabilizing tremors while promoting daily usage and oral health.

The Challenge: The Dexterity Trap

Our research began by observing how tremor patients interact with objects. We realized the primary failure point wasn't just "shaking"—it was the demand for fine motor control. Standard toothbrushes are thin sticks that require finger-tip precision. For someone with Essential Tremors, the more they try to focus on a small, precise point, the more the tremor often intensifies.

How We Solved It: Decoupling the Movement

We pivoted from "adding weight" (which causes muscle fatigue) to mechanical decoupling. 1. Redefining the Grip: We moved away from the traditional "pencil grip" to a wide, ergonomic handle that rests in the palm. This utilizes the larger muscle groups of the arm, which are often more stable than the fingers. 2. The Dampening Mechanism: We integrated a flexible, yet controlled, neck structure. This acts as a physical buffer—while the hand might move 10mm due to a tremor, the brush head only moves 2mm, maintaining constant contact with the tooth surface. 3. Visual Dignity: We intentionally avoided a "medical device" aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from modern wellness products, we used soft-touch materials and organic forms so that StableSmile feels like a lifestyle choice, not a disability aid.
StableSmile transforms a frustrating chore back into a dignified ritual. By minimizing the need for fine motor movements, we’ve empowered users to maintain their health independently, one brushstroke at a time.

year

2025

year

2025

year

2025

timeframe

3 months

timeframe

3 months

timeframe

3 months

tools

SolidWorks, Keyshot, Blender, 3D printing

tools

SolidWorks, Keyshot, Blender, 3D printing

tools

SolidWorks, Keyshot, Blender, 3D printing

category

Accessible Design and Ergonomics

category

Accessible Design and Ergonomics

category

Accessible Design and Ergonomics

my role

Accessible Design and Ergonomics

my role

Accessible Design and Ergonomics

my role

Accessible Design and Ergonomics

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A user engages in a personalized meditation session on Zengo, guided by AI algorithms tailored to their unique preferences and goals.

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A user engages in a personalized meditation session on Zengo, guided by AI algorithms tailored to their unique preferences and goals.